Governor issues executive order tackling rising electric bills

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order designed to reduce electric costs for Californians.

The governor’s action encourages electric bill relief while maintaining the state’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and 100% clean electricity by 2045.

The action comes as millions of Californians received an average credit of $71 on their October electric bills from the California Climate Credit, provided by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program.

“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills. California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis,” said Newsom.

Tackling rising electricity costs

While California has been successful in keeping electric bills lower than many other states on average thanks to decades of work advancing energy efficiency standards, Californians have seen their electric bills rising in recent years.

A major driver has been critical utility wildfire mitigation efforts that have accelerated to match the pace of the climate crisis, as well as several programs added over time.

The governor’s executive order addresses both of these cost drivers by zeroing in on some programs that could be inflating customer bills and evaluating utility wildfire mitigation expenses for potential administrative savings.

The Governor’s executive order:

Encourages electric bill relief. The executive order asks the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to identify underperforming programs and return any unused energy program funds back to customers receiving electric and gas service from private utilities as one or more credits on their bills.

Maximizes the California Climate Credit. The executive order directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to work with the CPUC to determine ways to maximize the California Climate Credit, which is a twice annual credit that shows up on many Californians’ electric and gas bills in the spring and fall and is funded by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program.

Manages and reduces electric costs for the long-term. The executive order asks the CPUC to evaluate electric ratepayer supported programs and costs of regulations and make recommendations on additional ways to save consumers money. It also asks the CPUC to pursue any federal funding available to help lower electricity costs for Californians. Additionally, the executive order directs the California Energy Commission (CEC) to evaluate electric ratepayer-funded programs and identify any potential changes that could save Californians money on their bills.

Smarter wildfire mitigation investments. The executive order directs the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and requests the CPUC, to evaluate utility wildfire safety oversight practices and ensure that utility investments and activities are focused on cost-effective wildfire mitigation measures.

In addition to the governor’s action, earlier this year, the CPUC approved a proposal to reduce the price of residential electricity through a new billing structure authorized by the state Legislature.

This follows actions in recent years such as providing direct relief to customers and using state funds, rather than ratepayer monies, to develop a Strategic Reliability Reserve to maintain electric grid reliability during extreme conditions.

The governor welcomes partnership with the legislature to further additional actions that will address electric bill affordability.

“Californians expect us to take a hard look at their monthly energy and electricity bills and deliver reduced costs and savings for the long-term,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “I support increased oversight efforts, because regulators must ensure energy programs are implemented effectively and responsibly. The governor’s action today is another step forward to lessen households’ total energy burden and lower the cost of living in our state.”

“Rising electricity costs are impacting Californians and their quality of life,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “The state, including its regulatory agencies, needs to buckle down and blunt the expanding fiscal impacts on ratepayers. This is an important start by Gov. Newsom, and the Senate plans to double down on this progress in the months ahead.”

Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonishes Sonoma County judge

NORTH COAST, Calif. — A Sonoma County judge is being disciplined by a state commission for misconduct.

The Commission on Judicial Performance has publicly admonished Judge James G. Bertoli of Sonoma County Superior Court.

The 11-member commission, chaired by Dr. Michael A. Moodian, issued a public admonishment to Judge Bertoli for engaging in improper political activity, improper social media conduct that demeaned the judicial office and improper fundraising.

The commission reported that Judge Bertoli opposed the renaming of the high school he had attended, Analy High School.

Judge Bertoli led protest rallies, made speeches, participated in fundraising, consulted with an attorney on behalf of his high school alumni association and urged people to oppose the renaming of the high school on social media.

The commission said Bertoli’s conduct involved public involvement on one side of an ongoing debate on a controversial social and political issue. That conduct violated the Code of Judicial Ethics and was not protected by the First Amendment.

“While Judge Bertoli was free to privately comment on an issue that he cares deeply about, his
judicial position required his abstention from public political activity,” the commission said.

In connection with his opposition to the change of the name of the high school, Judge Bertoli used Facebook accounts to make derogatory remarks about public officials, engage in rhetoric that inflamed the passions of the community, make profane remarks and speak derisively about those who did not agree with him.

The commission said Bertoli’s misconduct was aggravated by his prior discipline.

In 2021, he received an advisory letter for using his judicial title to promote his band, from 2011 through 2021.

“Judge Bertoli’s misconduct was further aggravated by the number of incidents of misconduct that publicly undermined respect for the judiciary and by Judge Bertoli’s failure to fully appreciate his misconduct,” the commission reported.

The public admonishment can be read below.

Bertoli DO Pub Adm 10-30-24 by LakeCoNews on Scribd

Thousands of Lake County residents participate in California’s early voting

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With just a week to go, millions of voters are taking part in early voting in California.

Those millions of California voters include several thousand Lake County residents who have so far cast ballots early.

The California Secretary of State’s Office reported that all registered voters were issued vote-by-mail ballots.

Based on the most recent totals available on Tuesday, of the 22,829,943 vote-by-mail ballots issued across California, 4,816,335 had been returned, amounting to 21% of registered voters, the Secretary of State’s Office reported.

The state’s numbers show that mail, followed by drop boxes and drop off locations, are the most popular ways of returning ballots.

In Lake County, 38,391 vote-by-mail ballots have been issued, with 5,790 of those ballots returned. That’s a 15% early return.

The overwhelming majority of Lake County’s ballots, 80%, have been returned by mail, compared to 11% in drop boxes and 7% at drop off locations.

Overall, 98.95% of the vote-by-mail ballots submitted in California so far have been accepted, the Secretary of State’s Office reported.

When Lake County’s early ballot return rate was at 13%, Political Data Inc., or PDI, completed an analysis of the county’s early vote count that showed Democrats leading Republicans with a 47% to 35% return rate, with other parties accounting for 20%.

PDI’s stats show the returned ballots by gender almost even between men and women, with people aged 65 and above accounting for the highest number of early ballots so far, at 64%, followed by 50 to 64 year olds at 24%, with 35 to 49 year old voters at 9% and those ages 18 to 34 at 5%.

The number of registered voters has grown in Lake County since the March primary.

In March, there were 36,561 registered voters, according to the Lake County Registrar of Voters. As of this week, there were 38,391 registered Lake County voters.

Lake County’s voter turnout is expected to grow substantially over the coming week.

Based on an analysis of presidential elections since 2000, voter turnout has usually topped 70%. In 2020, it was the highest during that period, topping 78%.

This year the number of registered voters, at more than 38,000, is at its highest reported historical level.

Early voting, same day voter registration and ballot drop off can take place at the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office at 325 N. Forbes St., which also is the central counting place.

Early voting ends on Nov. 4.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Information is published below on ballot drop off locations and precinct locations for Election Day voting.

BALLOT DROP OFF LOCATIONS AND TIMES

24-hour dropoff locations

All sites close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5.

Clearlake

Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake

Kelseyville

Child Support Services, 3980 Gard St.

Lakeport

Lake County Courthouse, 255 N Forbes St.

Lakeport Library, 1425 N High St.

Middletown

Middletown Library, 21267 Calistoga St.

Upper Lake

Upper Lake Library, 310 Second St.

PRECINCTS FOR THE NOV. 5 ELECTION

Clearlake

Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive

Highlands Senior Service Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.

Living Water Christian Fellowship (First Baptist Church), 14550 Pearl Ave.

Clearlake Oaks

Orchard Shores Clubhouse, 500 Orchard Shores Drive

Cobb

Little Red Schoolhouse, 15780 Bottle Rock Road

Finley

Clearlake Grange (Big Valley Grange/Hall), 1510 Big Valley Road

Hidden Valley Lake

HVL Community Services District Office, 19400 Hartmann Road

Kelseyville

Buckingham Homeowner’s Association, 2850 Eastlake Drive

Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road

Kelseyville Presbyterian Church Hall, 5340 Third St.

Lakeport

Lake County Office of Education (Kesey Room), 1152 S. Main St.

Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave.

LDS Church, 600 16th St.

Scotts Valley Women’s Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road

Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1111 Park Way

Lower Lake

Lower Lake Methodist Church Social Hall, 16255 Second St.

Lucerne

Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 3863 Country Club Drive

Middletown

Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center, 15500 Central Park Road

Nice

Community Baptist Church, 2877 E. Highway 20

Upper Lake

North Shore Christian Fellowship, 9456 Main St.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.